Make Learning Visible

As a new academic year dawns upon us, I extend a warm welcome to all of you in the vibrant sphere of education within the teaching community. It is with great enthusiasm that we open this fresh chapter, poised to nurture and guide the minds of our budding learners. In the Early Years of Education, the importance of making learning visible takes on a profound significance. Young minds are inherently curious and eager to explore, and by presenting learning in a visible and tangible manner, we provide them with the tools to do just that. When children can see, touch, and interact with their learning environment, their understanding deepens, setting the stage for a lifetime of engaged learning.

Within the confines of this newsletter, we shall delve into the significance of rendering learning visible within the classroom and illuminate our strategies for seamlessly integrating Visible Thinking Routines (VTRs), enriching the educational voyage for your students.

Why Make Learning Visible?

Making learning visible is more than just an educational buzzword; it's a fundamental principle that underlies our teaching philosophy. Research has shown that when children can see, touch, and engage with their learning environment, their comprehension and retention of new concepts improve significantly. By making learning visible, we aim to:

1.?????? Foster Deeper Understanding

When children can physically and mentally interact with their learning materials, they develop a deeper understanding of concepts rather than just memorizing facts.

2.?????? Encourage Critical Thinking

Visible learning prompts children to question, analyze, and explore ideas, leading to enhanced critical thinking skills that will serve them well throughout their academic journey.

3.?????? Boost Confidence

When children can see their progress and achievements, they gain confidence in their abilities and become more enthusiastic about their learning.

Strategies for Making Learning Visible

At our school, we employ several strategies to ensure that learning remains visible and engaging for our Early Year's Learners:

1. Interactive Displays

Our classrooms are filled with interactive displays that showcase children's work, thought processes, and discoveries. This allows them to revisit and reflect on their learning experiences.

2. Documentation

Teachers document children's learning journeys through photos, videos, and written observations. This documentation helps us track progress and tailor our teaching to each child's unique needs.

3. Open-ended Questions

We encourage open-ended questions that prompt children to explain their thinking, encouraging them to articulate their thoughts and ideas clearly.

4. Learning Journals

Children maintain learning journals where they can draw, write, or express themselves in ways that reflect their understanding and progress.

5. Storytelling Nook

In our classrooms, we establish cozy storytelling corners adorned with age-appropriate books and playful puppets. Kids choose stories to share with their peers, fostering language development, boosting confidence, and expressing comprehension of narratives, characters, and emotions.

6. Learning Showcases

Through periodic exhibitions, children step into the role of teachers. They curate projects and artworks they're proud of, presenting to peers, teachers, and parents. Sharing their concepts, skills, and growth hones both learning and communication abilities.

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Visible Thinking Routines (VTRs)

One powerful tool we use to make learning visible is the implementation of Visible Thinking Routines (VTRs). These routines are a set of easy-to-follow steps that help students develop their thinking skills while making their thought processes visible. This not only benefits the students but also provides valuable insights for teachers to tailor their instruction.

How to Implement VTR’s in Classroom

Here are some VTR’s ?with examples

1. See-Think-Wonder

This routine encourages children to observe closely, think critically, and generate curiosity. It's particularly effective for introducing new topics, images, or objects.

·?????? See: Show a picture or object related to the topic of study.

·?????? Think: Ask children what they think is happening or why they think the picture/object is important.

·?????? Wonder: Encourage children to share what questions they have about what they see.

2. 3-2-1 Bridge

Summarize learning, ask questions, and consider the application in three steps.

·?????? 3: Have students list three things they've learned from the lesson or activity.

·?????? 2: Ask them to identify two questions they still have or things they're curious about.

·?????? 1 (Bridge): Finally, have them share one way they can apply what they've learned.

3. Color, Symbol, Image

Express understanding using color, symbols, and images.

·?????? Color: Have children choose a color that represents their understanding of the topic.

·?????? Symbol: Ask them to draw a symbol that captures a key concept or idea.

·?????? Image: Encourage them to create an image related to their learning.

4. I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of

This routine helps children make connections between their prior knowledge and new information.

·?????? I Notice: What do you notice about the image/object/text?

·?????? I Wonder: What questions or curiosities do you have about it?

·?????? It Reminds Me Of: Does it remind you of anything you've seen or experienced before?

5. Think-Pair-Share

This routine promotes active thinking and collaborative learning.

·?????? Think: Pose a thought-provoking question related to the lesson.

·?????? Pair: Have children discuss their thoughts with a partner.

·?????? Share: Invite pairs to share their ideas with the whole class.

6. Circle of Viewpoints

This routine encourages children to explore different perspectives on a topic.

·?????? Choose a Viewpoint: Select a character or perspective from a story or topic.

·?????? Think from That Viewpoint: Ask children to think about how that character or perspective might see things.

·?????? Share and Compare: Have children share their thoughts and compare how different viewpoints might differ.

7. Zoom In

This routine helps children dive deeply into a single image, sparking close observation and critical thinking.

·?????? Zoom In: Display a portion of an image (a zoomed-in section).

·?????? Describe What You See: Ask children to describe what they see in the zoomed-in image.

·?????? Predict and Explore: Encourage children to predict what the entire image might be and discuss their predictions.

8. Generate, Sort, Connect, Elaborate

This routine encourages children to brainstorm ideas and make connections.

·?????? Generate: Ask children to generate ideas related to a topic or question.

·?????? Sort: Have them sort the ideas into categories.

·?????? Connect: Encourage them to find connections between the ideas.

·?????? Elaborate: Invite children to elaborate on their connections and explain their reasoning.

Here is the Link to Explore the Visible Thinking Tool Box: https://pz.harvard.edu/thinking-routines

By incorporating VTRs, we'll create an environment that encourages our children to think deeply, communicate effectively, collaborate with their peers and make their thought processes visible.

Remember, the goal is to create a space where learning is not only happening in the minds of the children but is also visible in their actions, discussions, and interactions with the world around them.

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